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The white slaves of England
By Robert, H. Sherard.
The Widnes artisans are a brotherly, warm hearted set of men, and quickly respond to any effort for their good.
The town is very poor. Most of the works are in the hands of companies. The old manufacturers who established the place are nearly all dead, or have sold out all their pecuniary interest in the town.
Part 1
Robert, H, Sherard, 1861-1943.
"There are many rumours in the air with regard to the industrial situation in Widnes.
It is said that a large works under the United Alkali Company will shortly be closed temporarily, owing to the accumulation of stocks, for which there appears to be little, if any, demand at present."
Part 2
The costume of a bleaching powder packer.
Slain by "Rodger"
People go to Harrogate, Ilkley, Bath, and other places to drink chemical waters, whereas we in Widnes inhale our chemicals in the atmosphere. This is not always a pleasant process, but, judging from statistics, the effects appear to be beneficial.
"While on this topic I might mention that some of the finest peas grown this season have been reared almost within a stone's throw of the Town Hall and the waste banks: and splendid potatoes. sixty to the root, are being grown near Appleton Station."
Part 3
A stone nobbler (8d. The Ton).
Drawing the black ash from a revolving furnace.
"These men literally carry their lives in their hands."
It will interest some of our readers to learn that less than half a century ago, Widnes (Lancashire) was a favourite resort of picnic parties, who flocked from smoky towns to inhale its fresh air, and enjoy a stroll along the well-wooded banks of the Mersey. Now all is changed. The lovely lanes have been transformed into busy streets ; the incessant hum of machinery has supplanted the carols of the feathered songsters; tall chimneys meet the gaze instead of stately trees; and for the sweet fragrance of flowers are substituted the odours arising from chemical, soap, and manure works. Vegetation has tendered its silent protest by ceasing to exist, and the railway travellers passing over Runcorn Bridge display their objections by hurriedly drawing up the carriage windows.
Part 4
Numerous are the stories of men boiled to death in the steaming caustic pots,
The factories, though spacious, are mean and dirty. The approaches seem to be the railway sidings. 1890.
A plan showing the numerous Chemical works in Widnes,
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